Hook Activity!

Imagine you are designing a new roller

coaster. How can you ensure that the
path of the roller coaster is smooth and
exciting?
CONIC SECTIONS
Topic 2: Parabola
Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to

• Illustrate a parabola and its degenerate form as intersections of a plane
and a two napped cone
• Define a parabola as a set of points on a plane
• Determine the standard form of equation of a parabola
• Sketch the graph of a parabola in a rectangular coordinate system
• Determine the equation of a parabola given some properties
• Solve situational problems involving a parabola
Parabola

A parabola is formed when a plane

intersects the cone parallel to one
of the sides of the cone while not
touching the opposite side
 Parabola
Definition

A parabola is a set of all points

in a plane equidistant from
both a fixed point and a fixed
line.
focus
• The fixed point of a parabola
is called the focus. The fixed
line of a parabola is known
as the directrix.
directrix
 Parabola (parts)
1. Focus and directrix
• The distance from the vertex to the
focus is equal to the distance from the
vertex to the directrix.
• Usually denoted as ‘a’
2. Vertex
• the intersection of the parabola and
it’s axis.
• It may be at the origin or at (h, k).
3. Axis of Symmetry
• line passing through the vertex and
the focus and always perpendicular to
the directrix.
 Parabola (parts)
4. Latus Rectum
• it is a line segment with
endpoints on the parabola, which
is parallel to the directrix and
contains the focus.

 Length of the LR = 4a
 Distance of focus to one
endpoint = 2a
Standard Equation of a Parabola
Parabola (variations) Not at the origin
(h, k)
Origin Where ‘h’ is the x-coordinate and ‘k’ is the
(0, 0) y-coordinate of the center
Standard Equation of a Parabola
Parabola Vertex Focus Directrix Opening
Opens to the right

Opens to the left

origin
Opens upwards

Opens downwards
Opens to the right

Opens to the left

(h, k)
Opens upwards

Opens downwards
 Points to Remember…
To get the equation of the parabola… When sketching a parabola…

1. First you identify the given values 1. Plot the vertex and the endpoints
(vertex, focus, directrix or latus of the parabola
rectum)
2. Draw a smooth curve through the
2. Next, you substitute the values to points.
the equation (the value of either h or
k and a)

3. Lastly, if asked to get the general

equation of the parabola, just
expand the standard equation and
equate it to zero.
 Let’s Try! Determine the equation of the parabola.

Example 1. Find the equations of a parabola with focus at (0,5)

and vertex at (0,0). Graph the parabola and label its parts.
Given.
; 𝑎=5
Vertex at origin
Opening upwards; 𝑦 =− 5
Solution.
Endpoints of latus rectum
length of LR
distance from focus to endpt.
Standard Equation
General Equation
The coordinates of the latus
rectum are (10,5) and (-10,5)
 Let’s Try! Determine the equation of the parabola.

Example 1. Find the equations of a parabola with focus at (0,5)

and vertex at (0,0). Graph the parabola and label its parts.
Given. ;
Vertex at origin
Opening upwards\
endpts. of LR at (10, 5) & (-10, 5)
Solution.

Standard Equation
General Equation
 Let’s Try! Determine the equation of the parabola.

Example 2. Find the equations of a parabola with vertex at (0, 0)

and directrix at x = 4. Graph the parabola and label its parts.
Given.
; 𝑎= 4
Vertex at origin
Opening to the left; Focus:
Solution.
Endpoints of latus rectum
length of LR
distance from focus to endpt.
Standard Equation
General Equation
The coordinates of the latus
rectum are (-4,8) and (-4,-8)
 Let’s Try! Determine the equation of the parabola.

Example 2. Find the equations of a parabola with vertex at (0, 0)

and directrix at x = 4. Graph the parabola and label its parts.
Given. ;
Vertex at origin
Focus:
Opening to the left
Endpts. of LR (-4, 8) & (-4, -8)
Solution.

Standard Equation
General Equation
 Let’s Try! Determine the equation of the parabola.

Example 3. Find the equations of a parabola with vertex at (5,3)

and directrix at y = 6. Graph the parabola and label its parts.
Given.
; 𝑎=3
Vertex at (5, 3)
Opening downwards; Focus:
Solution.
Standard Equation General Equation
 Let’s Try! Determine the equation of the parabola.

Example 3. Find the equations of a parabola with vertex at (5,3)

and directrix at y = 6. Graph the parabola and label its parts.
Given.
; 𝑎=3
Vertex at (5, 3)
Opening downwards; Focus:
Solution.
Standard Equation
Endpoints of latus rectum
length of LR
distance from focus to endpt.
General Equation

The coordinates of the latus

rectum are (11, 0) and (-1, 0)
 Let’s Try! Determine the equation of the parabola.

Example 3. Find the equations of a parabola with vertex at (3,2)

and directrix at y = 6. Graph the parabola and label its parts.
Given.
;
Vertex at (3, 2)
Opening downwards;
Solution.
 Let’s Try! Determine the equation of the parabola.

Example 3. Find the equations of a parabola with vertex at (5,3)

and directrix at y = 6. Graph the parabola and label its parts.
Given. ;
Vertex at (5, 3)
Focus (5,0)
Opening downwards
Endpts. of LR (11, 0) & (-11, 0)
Solution.
Standard Equation

General Equation
 Determine the equations of the following
Your Turn! parabolas. Sketch.

1. Vertex (3,2) and focus at (4, 2)

2. Vertex (3, 3) with directrix
3. Focus (-5, 10) and directrix
Problem: The Bridge Arch

A civil engineer is designing a bridge that

spans a river. The bridge needs to have a
parabolic arch to support the weight of
vehicles passing over it. The river is 100
meters wide, and the lowest point of the
arch should be 20 meters above the water's
surface. The engineer wants the highest
point of the arch to be directly above the
center of the river.

1.Determine the equation of the parabola

that represents the bridge arch in the
coordinate system.
2. Find the coordinates of the highest point
(vertex) of the parabolic arch.
Problem: Medical Imaging Analysis

Medical professionals are using a parabolic

reflector in a device to focus ultrasound waves
onto a patient's kidney stone, which is causing
discomfort. The reflector is positioned 2
centimeters above the patient's skin, and the
kidney stone is located 5 centimeters below the
skin's surface. The ultrasound waves are
intended to converge at the kidney stone's
location to aid in its treatment.

1. Determine the equation of the parabola that

represents the shape of the reflector's surface.
2. Calculate the distance between the vertex of
the parabolic reflector and the focal point
where the ultrasound waves converge.
 What we learned…
A parabola is a set of all
points in a plane
equidistant from both a
fixed point and a fixed
line.
What we learned…
To get the equation of the parabola…

1. First you identify the given values

(vertex, focus, directrix or latus rectum)

2. Next, you substitute the values to the

equation (the value of either h or k and a)

3. Lastly, if asked to get the general

equation of the parabola, just expand the
standard equation and equate it to zero.

When sketching a parabola…

1. Plot the vertex and the endpoints of the

parabola

2. Draw a smooth curve through the

points.
The trajectory of a parabola as a conic
section serves as a symbolic representation
of the ebbs and flows, achievements, and
challenges that characterize our individual
life experiences.
ACHIEVED!

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to

• Illustrate a parabola and its degenerate form as intersections of a plane
and a two napped cone
• Define a parabola as a set of points on a plane
• Determine the standard form of equation of a parabola
• Sketch the graph of a parabola in a rectangular coordinate system
• Determine the equation of a parabola given some properties
• Solve situational problems involving a parabola
Activity #2: Write the equations of the parabola with the given
characteristics and graph. Be able to determine the different
parts of the parabola. (graphing paper)

1.Vertex (0, 0); directrix y = 4

2.Vertex (1, 2); focus (11, 2)
3.Parabola opens upwards, vertex (-3, -2), length of
LR is 4 units.
4.Focus (-2, 1); directrix x = 6
5.Vertex (1, 2); endpoints of LR at (4, 5) and (4, -1)